Energy

in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 22, 2026

HB 345: Public Utilities - Solar Energy Generating Systems and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (Affordable Solar Act)

HB 345, the "Affordable Solar Act," creates new rules for solar energy systems in Maryland. It allows homeowners to install portable solar systems (max 1,200 watts) without utility approval or fees, while establishing two new credit types: SRECs for smaller residential systems and SREC-IIs for larger distributed or utility-scale projects (over 5MW). The bill requires utilities to procure specific SREC-II credits and redirects certain fees into new escrow accounts instead of the Strategic Energy Investment Fund. These changes directly affect residential solar users, utilities, and solar developers by altering renewable energy compliance standards and financial mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill removes barriers for residential solar, creates SREC credits, mandates utility procurement of SREC-IIs, and redirects fees to support renewable energy infrastructure, directly advancing solar adoption.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 341: Public Utilities – Solar Energy Generating Systems and Solar Renewable Energy Credits (Affordable Solar Act)

SB 341 establishes new definitions for small portable solar systems (max 1,200 watts, plug-in devices for residential use) and creates two types of solar energy credits: SRECs for smaller systems and SREC-II for larger installations. It requires electric companies to procure a specific number of SREC-II credits from qualifying solar projects and mandates that certain compliance fees be deposited into an escrow account instead of the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. Homeowners using portable solar systems cannot have utility approval requirements or fees for grid connection, but these systems do not count toward renewable energy goals. Municipal utilities and electric cooperatives gain flexibility in meeting solar requirements under the new framework.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates utilities to procure SREC-II credits from solar projects, creating market demand and directing fees to solar-specific escrow instead of general fund.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates utility procurement of solar credits (SREC-II), creates incentives for solar projects, and expands residential solar access - directly promoting clean energy adoption per environmental indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Renewable Energy Solar

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 434: Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund - Uses - Cooperative Housing Corporations and Condominiums (Co-Op and Condo Energy Refund Equity Act)

SB 434 ensures cooperative housing corporations and condominium owners in Maryland receive energy cost refunds directly through their governing bodies (boards or associations), rather than as individual customer credits. The bill requires electric companies to issue refunds to these governing bodies, which then distribute funds to individual members, mirroring how refunds are handled for other residential customers. These refunds, funded by compliance fees in the Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund, are distributed equally between peak summer and winter months for fiscal year 2027. The policy applies to members who did not receive prior refunds under 2025 legislation and operates in addition to existing energy relief programs.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyEnsures equitable energy cost refunds for co-op/condo residents via governing bodies, aligning with utility consumer protection in energy efficiency funding.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEnables co-op/condo energy efficiency investments via Strategic Energy Fund refunds, promoting cleaner energy use and reducing emissions through streamlined distribution.85% confidence

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in committee · Maryland · Senate Jan 20, 2026

SB 275: Vehicle Laws - Electric Vehicle Dealer Licenses - City of Bowie

SB 275 creates a new license category for manufacturers or distributors that sell *only* electric or nonfossil-fuel vehicles, allowing up to five such licenses statewide. However, it specifically restricts one of those licenses to operate *only* in the City of Bowie. This directly affects EV manufacturers/distributors seeking to open direct-to-consumer dealerships in Bowie without traditional dealership franchises. The bill amends Maryland’s vehicle licensing laws to require that no existing dealer holds a franchise from the applicant, and that no controlling ownership exists between competing EV dealers. It takes effect October 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyCreates license category for EV dealers, enabling direct sales and promoting EV adoption, reducing fossil fuel dependence in transportation95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationCreates EV dealer license category enabling direct sales of electric vehicles, promoting sustainable transportation infrastructure and reducing franchise barriers for EV manufacturers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Driver Licensing Electric Vehicles

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Jan 19, 2026

HB 119: Energy Performance Contracts - Navigators, Funding, and Requirements

HB 119 requires public bodies (including state agencies, counties, schools, and hospitals) to work with designated "navigators" when creating energy performance contracts - agreements where a company improves building energy efficiency in exchange for a share of savings. The Maryland Clean Energy Center must hire or contract with navigators in all Maryland regions using $1.5 million from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund, providing assistance with grant applications, energy assessments, and navigating the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Program. Navigators help public bodies secure funding, review energy efficiency measures, and ensure compliance with reporting requirements for these contracts. The bill also updates state law to establish the navigator program and adjust funding mechanisms for energy efficiency initiatives.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyFunds navigators via Strategic Energy Investment Fund to improve building efficiency through performance contracts, directly advancing energy efficiency goals.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentRequires public bodies to use energy efficiency contracts with navigators funded by clean energy investments, directly advancing environmental protection through reduced emissions and resource conservation.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Conservation

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 16, 2026

HB 39: Net Energy Metering - Portable Solar Electric Generating Facilities

HB 39 expands Maryland's net energy metering program to include portable solar electric generating facilities. It defines portable solar as systems under 30 kilowatts connected via standard 120-volt outlets, intended to offset a customer's own electricity use. The bill requires utilities to provide two-way meters and prohibits additional fees for customers using portable solar, while capping total program capacity at 3,000 megawatts statewide. This change directly affects homeowners and businesses using portable solar setups (e.g., for RVs or temporary installations) by allowing them to receive credit for excess power fed back to the grid.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyExpands net metering for portable solar systems, prohibits fees for users, and promotes renewable energy adoption through consumer incentives within program caps.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Solar

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signed · Maryland · Senate May 12, 2026

SB 223: Maryland Energy Administration - Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program and Fund and Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund

SB 223 transfers administration of the Jane E. Lawton Conservation Loan Program from the Maryland Energy Administration to the Maryland Clean Energy Center. The bill moves the program’s legal authority to the Maryland Clean Energy Center, repeals the Energy Administration’s regulatory power over the program, and updates reporting requirements for the related Maryland Strategic Energy Investment Fund. The program itself continues to provide low-interest loans to nonprofit organizations, local governments, state agencies, and eligible businesses for energy efficiency projects that reduce fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions. This change is purely administrative and does not alter the program’s eligibility criteria, loan terms, or funding mechanisms.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTransfers conservation loan program to Maryland Clean Energy Center, advancing clean energy funding and infrastructure through low-interest loans for nonprofits.92% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentContinues conservation loan program providing low-interest loans to nonprofits for environmental protection, maintaining funding for conservation efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Energy Efficiency Renewable Energy Climate Change Conservation

in committee · Maryland · Senate Feb 9, 2026

SB 429: Maryland Energy Administration - Study on Land-Based Wind Energy

SB 429 requires the Maryland Energy Administration to study the potential for land-based wind energy generation in Maryland. The study must assess total wind energy potential, identify suitable locations, examine successful mitigation solutions for conflicts with military radar systems (like ADAMS), and evaluate their applicability in Maryland. The Administration may use funds from the Strategic Energy Investment Fund to conduct the study and must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Maryland Energy Administration and sets a framework for future policy decisions on wind energy development.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill mandates study on land-based wind energy potential, assessing development opportunities and mitigation strategies, advancing renewable energy planning and infrastructure assessment.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of land-based wind energy (clean energy source) using Strategic Energy Investment Fund, advancing renewable energy development and environmental protection goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Wind

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died · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 23, 2026

HB 647: Power Plant Research Program - Study on Nuclear Energy

HB 647 requires Maryland's Power Plant Research Program to study whether nuclear energy qualifies as a renewable resource and could help combat climate change. The study must evaluate current nuclear energy use in Maryland, identify environmental benefits, assess barriers to new nuclear projects, identify potential construction sites, and examine adding nuclear energy to the state's renewable energy goals. The program must submit findings and recommendations to the Governor and legislature by September 30, 2027. This bill directly affects the Power Plant Research Program and informs future energy policy decisions.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill studies nuclear energy's potential as renewable resource and inclusion in state renewable goals, directly advancing renewable energy policy exploration per topic indicators.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates study of nuclear energy's environmental benefits and climate impact, evaluating its potential to combat climate change and align with renewable energy goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Nuclear Renewable Energy Climate Change

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in committee · Maryland · House of Delegates Feb 4, 2026

HB 674: Public Service Commission - Full Costs and Benefits Analysis of Sources of Electricity Generation

HB 674 requires Maryland's Public Service Commission to analyze the full costs and benefits of different electricity generation sources for ratepayers. The commission must compare three scenarios: current natural gas and nuclear capacity, 8,500 megawatts of offshore wind plus storage, and calculate additional reliability costs for wind energy. Using the Levelized Full System Cost model, the analysis will identify the lowest-cost options and recommend policy changes to support them. The commission must submit findings to relevant legislative committees by December 1, 2027, with the bill taking effect October 1, 2026. This directly affects electricity ratepayers through potential cost comparisons for state energy choices.

Topics ✓ EnergySupports EnergyMandates analysis comparing offshore wind (8,500 MW) against current sources, using cost model to identify lowest-cost options and recommend policies supporting renewable energy integration.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill mandates analysis prioritizing offshore wind (clean energy) over natural gas, requiring policy recommendations to support lowest-cost renewable options and reduce emissions.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Utility Regulation Wind

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